Bloomington Minn. - Sgt Andrew Ross, Minnesota Army National Guard, presented the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriotic Employer Award to Walser Automotive Group, January 21, 2025. Minnesota Army National Guard member, Sgt Andrew Ross, nominated them and his supervisors, Dayna Kleve and Sherry Schultz, in recognition of his uniformed service in the National Guard.
An employee serving in the National Guard or Military Reserve, or the spouse of a National Guard or Military Reserve or a spouse of a National Guard or Military Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors for the Patriotic Employer Award for support provided directly to the nominating Servicemember and his or her family. The Patriotic Employer Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.
According to Ross’ nomination narrative, “I am honored to recommend Dayne Kleve and Sherry Schultz for their exceptional leadership and dedication to supporting veterans at Walser. Dayne and Sherry played a pivotal role in creating the Veterans at Walser Employee Resources Group (ERC), providing a dedicated platform where veterans can connect, share experiences, and thrive in the workplace. Their vision to foster a supportive environment for veterans has had a lasting impact on both individual employees and the organization.” In addition to receiving a Patriotic Employer Award, Dayna Kleve and Sherry Schultz signed an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Statement of Support, confirming that the company joins other employers in pledging the statement narrative, “We fully recognize, honor, and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA). We will provide our managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve. We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans. We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families, in peace, in crises and in war.”
ESGR is a Department of Defense office that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the National Guard and Reserve through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities that increase awareness of applicable laws. ESGR also provides assistance in resolving conflicts between Service members and their employers. This year, ESGR celebrates over 53 years of excellence in support of the Reserve Components and their civilian employers. For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call (800) 336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil. Photo left to right: Tom Haugo MN ESGR, Dayna Kleve, Andrew Walser CEO, SGT Andrew Ross MNARNG, and Sherry Schultz.